It's time for us to get back on the ground after a gap of three days. We got some time to ourselves, to look back hard at the last two games, which didn't go our way, writes Sourav Ganguly.

We got some time to ourselves, to look back hard at the last two games, which didn't go our way.

When we left Kolkata, after the Delhi game, we were well-placed with 10 points under our belt from an even number of games. In order to see ourselves vying for a place in the semifinals, we needed to win at least one of the two matches away from home. If a team desires for a top-of-the-order existence, it has to put it across in the crunch games. That didn't happen with us.

We had our opportunities. In the Bangalore match, we wanted to bat first, surprisingly got the opportunity even after losing the toss. We put runs on the board in the first 10 overs but fizzled out from there on.

In Chennai, we batted first but didn't make the best use of it. It was the best available batting line-up for us, with the likes of Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, David Hussey and me batting in the top half and Manoj Tiwary, Angelo Mathews holding on to the middle order. But we were done in by wickets tumbling cheaply early and a debatable umpiring decision, leaving no room for recovery on a pitch where anything in excess of 150 could have set up an exciting finish.

The tournament is springing surprises everyday and few games have produced results to keep us alive, maybe with a remote chance. But we need to survive on our own, look at our cause, win matches and keep the tournament alive for ourselves. We didn't fire and it is indeed frustrating the way we threw away our chances.

We can be fearless in our last two outings, play to the best of our ability and not really bother about where the wins in these two matches will take us. It is indeed painful to find ourselves in the current situation, especially after all the hard work that was put in this year, with the hope of a fruitful finish.

It is no point in trying to be a cry-baby, because one will always be judged by one's action on the ground. We should try and find solace for our millions of fans by winning the last two matches at home. At least, they will realize that the Knight Riders' were a team, who had the potential of a podium finish but just didn't make it.